In April leading sustainability professionals in GACSO (Global Association of Corporate Sustainability Officers) and IEMA (Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment) identified the need for a 'lexicon' to support and build shared understanding primarily between sustainability professionals but also with interested individuals across society (all ages and from all sectors). The white paper - attached and also at www.gacso.org - is consulting on our proposed 'directions' for defining corporate sustainability and related terms.

GACSO IEMA states "This initiative is an early building block that will be helpful to GACSO and IEMA as we work with our members on corporate sustainability and also we hope to wider parties. I know that leading professionals involved would welcome wider thoughts and feedback on the directions in the paper."

This is part of a wider initiative to develop a strong professional basis for sustainability practitioners in the UK and globally. Prior to this, there has been no specific attempt to develop a common lexicon, and so terms have been invented, appropriated and adapted to meet specific needs.

Please direct your comments to this forum and, if you are happy to do so, to [email protected], otherwise I am happy to pass comments on from here.